As the name suggests, “microgrids” are small-scale electrical networks that operate independently, or in tandem with, large-scale electrical supplies.

Above: Microgrids use renewables to power building systems.

While many national and regional electrical grids are now powered in part by renewable energy, the majority still depend on nuclear and fossil fuels to
deliver the bulk of their power.

Conversely, microgrids make heavy use of renewables such as photovoltaics and wind turbines to generate energy for use within a specific building or development.

Above: Incorporating microgrid systems into new developments allows them operate independently of national or regional electrical grids.

This enables them to power their systems and operates without adding to the demands of the wider electrical network.

On-site energy production and storage can enable a new development to become self-sufficient and helps to fill in the gaps that can arise on overstretched
electrical grids.

As part of their pledge to honour the 2016 Paris Agreement on climate change, cities around the world (including several in the United States) are passing
legislation to make all new public buildings and developments emission free. The use of microgrids can contribute significantly to achieving these
requirements whilst better insulating large urban areas from potential power failures or blackouts.

Above: Despite the United States withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, states and cities across the country have pledged to meet
their emission reduction targets (image courtesy of Georgina Gustin and Paul Horn/Insider Climate News).

Excess energy generated on small-scale systems can be stored on site for use at a later date or be fed back into wider power grids when necessary.

Whilst legislation is one step, private enterprise is also getting onboard with microgrids and localised energy production.

Above: The "Solar Roof" could make roof tiles an integral part of domestic microgrids (image courtesy of Tesla).

This system is integrated with the Tesla Power Wall allowing excess energy to be stored and used throughout the year.

Many large and small-scale developments are also now incorporating wind turbines to generate power and feed their microgrids, reducing their reliance on
regional and national power networks.

Energy market analysts Pike Research estimate that microgrid power generation has now increased fivefold from 2012 levels - and with an increasing array
of innovations coming to market, we could see entire cities and urban areas powered very differently in the years ahead.